Universal fit sanding pad for random orbital sanders

ABSTRACT

Random orbital sanders have a round sanding pad which supports a sandpaper disc mounted on the pad by hook and loop (Velcro). The pad itself is mounted to the power orbital sander by three or four screws or bolts which allow for rotating about in an orbital path. 
     Random orbital sanders are manufactured with two different configurations in the method that they mount the sanding pad. Certain manufacturers allow for a connection to the sanding pad by 4 bolts/screws, and certain others allow for a connection to the sanding pad by 3 bolts/screws. The universal fit sanding pad will have all the requisite bolt/screw receptacles to fit on both 3 and 4 bolt configurations by using a unique design with 6 unique receptacles in a specific formation and distance form one another.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

REFERENCES CITED U.S. Patent Documents

U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,858 A 11-2000 Luedeke, Arthur P . . . 451/342

U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,511 A 11-2000 Huber, Paul W A . . . 451/357

U.S. Pat. No. 7,270,598 B2 09-2007 Dutterer, David Eric et al. 451/357

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

THE NAMES TO THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

Power tools

2. Background

Random orbital sanders are used for a variety of sanding operations from removing paint, preparing surfaces, woodworking, auto repair and polishing. Random orbital sanders have a round sanding pad which supports a sandpaper disc mounted on the pad by hook and loop (Velcro). The pad itself is mounted to the power orbital sander by three or four screws or bolts which allow for rotating about in an orbital path.

Random orbital sanders are manufactured with two different configurations in the method that they mount the sanding pad. Certain manufacturers allow for a connection to the sanding pad by 4 bolts/screws, and certain others allow for a connection to the sanding pad by 3 bolts/screws. The universal fit sanding pad will have all the requisite bolt/screw receptacles to fit on both 3 and 4 bolt configurations by using a unique design with 6 unique receptacles in a specific formation.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

FIG. 1 A pad that can only fit on a 3 bolt/screw random orbiting sander

FIG. 2 A pad that can only fit on a 4 bolt/screw random orbiting sander

FIG. 3 A universal fit pad that will fit either 3 or 4 bolt/screw configurations

FIG. 4 A random orbital sander with a universal fit pad attached

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The universal fit sanding pad is uniquely able to fit any random orbital sander that allows for 3 or 4 bolt/screw configuration. There are 6 receptacles in a defined formation (specific distance from one another) to attach the appropriate number of bolts/screws so as to secure the pad to the random orbital sander.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the existing pad for a 3 bolt/screw configuration. The pad must attach to the bottom of a random orbital sander by pushing screws or bolts through the holes marked “A”, “B”, and “C”.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the existing pad for a 4 bolt/screw configuration. The pad must attach to the bottom of a random orbital sander by pushing screws or bolts through the holes marked “D”, “E”, “F”, “G”

FIG. 3 is an illustration of how the universal fit sanding pad is constructed from the configuration of 3 and 4 bolt/screw receptacle sanding pads. The holes marked “A”, “B”, and “C” are from the 3 bolt/screw configuration, and the holes marked “D”, “E”, “F”, “G” are from the 4 bolt/screw configuration. There is one receptacle that overlaps both configurations and is labeled “A, D”

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the random orbital sander with a universal fit pad attached

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Random orbital sanders are used for a variety of sanding operations from removing paint, preparing surfaces, woodworking, auto repair and polishing. Random orbital sanders have a round sanding pad which supports a sandpaper disc mounted on the pad by hook and loop (Velcro). The pad itself is mounted to the power orbital sander by three or four screws or bolts which allow for rotating about in an orbital path.

Random orbital sanders are manufactured with two different configurations in the method that they mount the sanding pad. Certain manufacturers allow for a connection to the sanding pad by 4 bolts/screws, and certain others allow for a connection to the sanding pad by 3 bolts/screws. The universal fit sanding pad will have all the requisite bolt/screw receptacles to fit on both 3 and 4 bolt configurations by using a unique design with 6 unique receptacles in a specific formation.

Components of the universal fit sanding pad:

1. Six holes/receptacles that will use screws/bolts to attach to the random orbital tool. The six holes/receptacles are set up in a specific configuration and distance from each other.

As designated in FIG. 3:

A) Distance from the centre of the receptacles: A to B, B to C, and C to D: 36 mm

B) Distance from the centre of the receptacles: D to E, E to F, F to G, G to D: 29 mm

C) Distance from the centre of the receptacles: D to F, G to E: 41 mm

CONCLUSION

The above specification, and examples provide a complete description of the use of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims as mentioned below, specifically the distances between the receptacles numbering six with defined distances between them enabling a fit onto any random orbital sander with 3 or 4 bolt/screws. The invention is a unique design that allows a sanding pad to universally fit on any manufacturer's random orbital sander. 

1. A sanding pad with six receptacles for bolts or screws with a defined distance between them: As designated in the formation in FIG. 3: a. Distance from the centre of the receptacles: A to B, B to C, and C to D: 36 mm b. Distance from the centre of the receptacles: D to E, E to F, F to G, G to D: 29 mm c. Distance from the centre of the receptacles: D to F, G to D: 41 mm 